Church, schools and government

A few different thoughts have been coming together to prompt this post. The first one was the reaction of the people present at a recent public meeting about faith schools. There were a lot of criticisms - including suggestions of indoctrination - and a show of hands revealed quite a few people against any faith involvement in schooling.

In one sense, that was surprising, as we have a good local primary schools with a church foundation, as well as popular church high schools. However, I have also seen the concern and negative feeling about churches having any involvement in running institutions when a secular college was merged with a church one to form the University of Cumbria. The perception of the church as homophobic, sexist and bigoted runs deep. Furthermore, people question whether the state should support faith at all. In 2005, a Guardian/ICM poll recorded 64% opposing any government funding of faith schools.

Historically, the church was the first agency to provide schooling in England and many of the schools we now have in the state-sector are the legacy from the parochial schools which pre-date universal state provision. I suppose one could argue that if the church started schools and Universities in this country, it's a bit churlish to evict them them now.

I think there are several issues with faith and education. Firstly, is it indoctrination? Well, a school might have a very clear agenda to propagate a faith; others might have a "Christian ethos" (often vaguely defined) with no particular agenda. I have to say that if they are indoctrinating children, the net result seems to be pretty unsuccessful. In fact they often have the opposite effect, with overdoses of religion immunising people from faith later in life. For instance, my secondary school gave us daily assemblies, 3 of them were for the whole school with reading, hymn and talk. Of about 800, only a tiny handful ever met at Christian Union, and assemblies and RE lessons did nothing to help it sustain its activities.

Secondly, do they generate sectarianism? That's a harder question to answer. I haven't come across any militant Anglicans produced by Church of England schools. [Wonder what they would do? Guerilla jumble sales? Aggressively enlist people for evensong?] However in Northern Ireland people may answer that question rather differently. I remember students at St Martin's College, Lancaster who came from Belfast saying College was the first place they had ever got to know people from the other side of the divide, as their previous education was in a purely Protestant or Catholic environment. In the English context, I understand that C of E and Catholic state schools may not discriminate against people of other faiths in staff recruitment, except for RE teachers, and there are often non-Catholic or non Anglican Christians as well as other faiths, agnostic and even atheist teachers in such schools. That makes indoctrination rather difficult to achieve.

The third question is whether it's possible to provide a 'neutral' education. Suppose schools had a policy of no exploration of the idea of spirituality at all, which is what I presume some would want. That's a belief standpoint. By taking the possibility of the spiritual out of the education system, you have already adopted a stance, just as much as you would in a faith school. It seems to me the real question is how open and free pupils are to question and to explore ideas which are not the 'given' in the school they attend.

The important question behind all of this is whether any state resources should, in any sense, be invested in what atheist critics would regard as the propagation of religion. I can see the case that in a genuinely secular state that they should not (although faith groups often sustain community and charitable activity that augments state provision, so charitable status for tax, etc could be argued for even in a secular state). The difference in the UK is that we are not a secular state. We have an established church, the monarch is the supreme governor of the Church of England, we have Bishops on the House of Lords. The other side of that coin is that Parliament has a say over church matters (it had to approve the ordination of women, approves parochial fees, and the Commons threw out a revised Church of England Prayer Book in 1927 & 1928)

Perhaps some of the current proposed reforms may start to change that. I would certainly favour an elected upper house, provided it was elected by a genuinely proportional system such as Single Transferable Vote. However, if Parliament no longer provides a voice for the Church of England, then it ought to be time for the Church to be able to govern itself without reference to Parliament.

There is a perfectly logical case for the state becoming secular, but to achieve that aim is far from simple. There's plenty more to debate.

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• Coalition pledge on faith schools (telegraph.co.uk)

Lent Blog 15: Perceptions

Over the last few days I seem to have had several conversations about what to wear. No, not a fashion conversation - these were about clerical garb. Anglican clergy vary greatly in their preferences, and we get away with a lot more inconsistency with our choices than most staff in organisations with dress codes. The problem with this is that it isn't always obvious what we should wear.

I remember debating with other chaplains whether we should wear dog collars regularly on campus or not. Some felt it was a barrier, although wearing 'plain clothes' then means you have to have some way of being identified as a chaplain. Others (and I was one) felt that being seen in the canteen / bar / corridors / staff room with a collar on was a way of indicating you were around and available, and hopefully accessible. In the end I varied it, as once I was recognised on campus it was sometimes helpful to be less formally dressed. I always wore a collar to other campuses in Cumbria, as it saved explanations.

You'd think it would be simpler when we are 'on duty' in church. The rules of the C of E state that all clergy should be robed when officiating at public worship in "surplice or alb with scarf or stole" (Canon B8) and "other customary vestments may be added". In practise, the choices made about robes generally say something about the theological views of the parish (or at least its ministers) I don't have any particular personal preferences and tend to fit in with whatever people are used to. Dressing up is never something I get excited about, whether in church or out, so I generally do whatever fits in. It's the uniform for the job.

It made me remember my first service at St Martin's College Chapel. As a parish priest I wore an alb (white tunic) and the one I have happens to have a hood, which is never used, but keeps my stole (coloured scarf) tidy. It's what I had always worn, so I wore it in chapel. At the end of the service, a number of students seemed puzzled and asked me what significance it had. None, I reassured them - I wasn't a monk! Then up came Pete - who was quite a comic - with a line he had obviously been developing during the worship. "Nice service, but what's with the KKK [Ku Klux Klan] outfit?"

What seems normal to us might seem very weird to other people.

Labyrinths, Sweden and moving

The picture at the top of my blog shows part of our campus a few years ago. Chapel is in the middle, and to the left is a labyrinth. Below that is the front of the Princess Margaretha (Swedish princess) Hall. The hall was the largest room on campus, but any gathering in there had the ambience of 1970s school assemblies. It was getting very tired.

The hall is now demolished, although the stage area still survives, yet to be remodelled, as does the tower block the photo was taken from. The labyrinth has also gone, and the site is now occupied by our new Lancaster Gatway building, which (mainly) opened today. Lots of glass, Lakeland stone and wood. I'll get some photos up before too long.

One curious feature of the building are two large panels - one blue and one yellow. Some people have joked about IKEA, so we missed a sponsorship deal there. They may not be far from the truth - I wonder whether it is a reference to the Swedish connections of the building that occupied the site previously.

Haven't found anyone who knows yet.

New Layout

Testing a new format for the blog. Not entirely convinced, but I'll stick with it for now. The photo is an aerial view of our campus in its St Martin's College days, with the Chapel central and the labyrinth visible (now long gone to make way for the Student Gateway)

Thought it was a view worth preserving.

Identity

It's nearly a year since the University of Cumbria was born, but I am reliably informed by students that taxi drivers still need to be asked to go to St Martin's College.

Change. It's never easy.

Education and Ideology

Here at Cumbria, we are a University where the Church is a stakeholder, and has representation on the governing body. From time to time I meet up with colleagues from similar institutions around the country (e.g. Canterbury Christ Church, Chester, Winchester etc - mainly former C of E teacher training colleges) We always find ourselves discussing what's distinctive about our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs in the lingo) and whether that's good, bad, neutral or irrelevant.

One question that does come up is whether having a Christian world view informing the institution skews the education it delivers: is it genuinely academically free, or is it 'tainted'? Some academics and others concerned with education feel very strongly that it is.

It begs the question as to whether any Higher Education is delivered without some ideological bias. After all, modern Higher Education functions within a clearly capitalist framework. Students pays fees for a service, they are treated more like customers, institutions talk about marketing, brand and they compete for market share.

The new HE world we now live in has its positives; everyone has had to smarten up their act to compete. For example, I don't even know where Student Services was when I was at University, and I've no idea how I would have found a counsellor if I'd needed one. The Chaplain was the only 'student welfare' person I was aware of, apart from my personal tutor. Information about support and help has to be much more 'in your face' now.

However, It would be fascinating to hear a Marxist critique of our model of Higher Education today. I suspect it would express concern that the economic model which is taken for granted in the delivery of UK higher education, essentially places HEIs in the position of endorsing that social and economic ideology, and hence the education they deliver is not ideologically neutral. Market economics now shape the assumptions, commitments and priorities of the modern 'student experience'.

So in defence of Church HEIs, there's no such thing as an ideology-free blank canvas to draw education upon. If Christians have a resource of thinking that can scrutinize the assumptions made in modern education with questions that arise from a world view that can challenge the 'default' world view, then we might be doing everyone a favour.

PS It's worth bearing in mind that Oxford, Cambridge and Durham are all arguably Church inventions, and it doesn't seem to have blighted their scholarship!

Signs of the Future

The new University of Cumbria signs are starting to appear around the campus this week. Initially there were just a few, but the pace is quickening. By the time I get back from my holiday, the new identity will be well underway. I'm now going through old stocks of paperwork, preparing to put old St Martin's leaflets in the recycler, or turn into notepads where appropriate.

Just over a week ago we had a party to say goodbye to St Martin's, which kept a good balance between letting go of the old and embracing the new. As we start as a new University, it will be interesting to see how quickly the community around us adjusts.

Logos

There has been a lot of fuss about the recent release of the new Olympic logo for London 2012. It reminds me of some of the conversations around the logo for the University, which St Martin's is a partner in forming. I canvassed some student opinion early on, which was somewhat lukewarm, but others have been much more positive.

We're not allowed to use the logo before Aug 1, except via the design department for approved documents, so you will have to pop over to the University of Cumbria website, to take a look. Your opinions are welcome.

Various experiences

It's been an intense week. It was always going to be quite busy with the last St Martin's College (Lancaster) leavers' celebration on Wednesday. That went really well, with a an encouraging address from Peter Willox, my colleague based at Ambleside. Meanwhile Debbie (the other Rev Peatman in our house) was having to handle a couple of serious pastoral situations. I fitted in a trip to our Barrow teaching operation by travelling with Debbie to the hospital there, and they were really nice and seemed pleased I had made it (at last)

Saturday was really special - a thanksgiving celebration for Dave Hamill. Dave was a student who left SMC in 2005. He was a great guy and a leading light of the Christian Union. He was also a singer, a worship leader and a friend to many people. I remember him as someone who got to know me very early on (rather than wait for me to get to know him), and I think he was the first student to buy me a pint in the bar.

Tragically Dave died just before Easter. After a period of mysterious symptoms, he was taken seriously ill and died as a result of serious clotting in several major organs. Although we do experience tragic deaths of students at College from time to time, this is the first in my time where the person concerned was a member of the Christian Union. Many of us couldn't get to the funeral in Northern Ireland, and so we planned an event here at a time when many could come and also David's parents and sister could attend.

It was a remarkable occasion. A whole generation of CU people came back, along with people who had studied with Dave and I was keen to keep the 'feel' of the celebration to be similar to a CU meeting. We set up the worship band as it usually is for CU, and we used some of Dave's favourite songs.

Nathan (one of Dave's best friends and also the other half of their band Row 12) spoke tremendously well. He spoke of the choice between going under in the face of such a sad event, or responding in thanksgiving for the gift that Dave was to us all. It was a great balance between memories, recollection, acknowledgment of the sadness and Christian hope. Jonny led us in very thoughful prayers and I then offered a chance for people to speak, and we all then wrote memories of Dave on cards which were gathered and the given to his parents and sister.

A difficult decision, which I discussed with Dave's family was whether to play any of his music. In the end we did as it was part of him and of our recollections of him. It felt right as it played, although it was strange and emotional to hear Dave's voice coming out of the PA. We closed in prayer and a song, and then Ann, Dave's mum, shared a bit of the story of his last week. She hadn't planned to, but realised it would be easier than telling the story over and over to different people. Again a very brave and moving testimony both to Dave and to how her faith had sustained her.

We then talked and shared over lots of home-made cake, a memorial football match was played (Dave managed the CU team for a year when they won a league) and we talked into the night at the College social bar, just like we always used to. It all added to a sense of time-warp at the end of a day that was both sad and strangely joyful.

The lasting memory I will have is of the incredible sense of community in that generation of students, and how much their relationships have endured in ways that continue to enrich and sustain them in their post-college lives. It's days like that when I realise how special it is to be a Chaplain here. Thanks to everyone who made the day possible.

Chancellor

It's now official that when we become the University of Cumbria, the Chancellor will be the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu. Excellent news.

A good, sad evening

Spent part of this evening with final year and former students from the Christian Union (and some friends), remembering Dave, who left college in 2005. Dave died in the early hours of Monday morning, following a bout of pneumonia. He was a great bloke, a joker, and the life of many social events. He was also central to the CU of his era, a worship leader, and not a bad singer/songwriter as part of Row12 with Nath.

We shared some stories, thought how sad we were, lit candles and thought how strangely unfair it seems that at 25 years old, Dave is with God and we all feel cheated.

The sun set over Morecambe Bay as we did this and we said goodbye. In time-honoured CU tradition we then went to the bar and someone proposed a toast to Dave.



Oddly everyone suddenly seemed older.

Management Days

On Friday I was attending a day for departmental heads from St Martin's College. We were joined by colleagues from Cumbria Institute of the Arts and the Carlisle and Penrith campuses of the University of Central Lancs. I get invited as Senior Chaplain. One day I'll get that s-word replaced with 'Coordinating' or something similar. (Should that be hyphenated?)

Perhaps I should be a little careful how I comment, as a senior college manager reads this blog! Seriously, you shouldn't blog stuff you're not prepared to own up to in public or at work, so read on

Actually I have to say it was a really good day. Quite apart from it taking place in a conference suite in a very pleasant hotel just outside Kendal, it was very interesting. We weren't doing the management game thing that the phrase 'day away' usually conjures up in people's minds. Instead, we were engaged in planning and managing. The new University is a tricky entity to bring into being with the complexity of the merger, so it's really important to get that right. Some good work was done.

From my point of view, I also caught up with several pastoral contacts, built up some relationship with staff from our partner campuses, and thought of some useful ideas for our chaplaincy moving forward. At this rate, I may write a paper on delivering distributed chaplaincy - how do you care for people at many locations when you can't have a member of staff at each of them? I think there may be some interesting lessons for the Church at large to learn from the experience will have in forming a new team for ministry to the new University.

Fresh Expressions? Chaplains have been doing it for years!

Loose Ends

Just clearing stuff from the desk at the end of the week, and cam across sundry things from more liberal end of the theological spectrum. Often the evangelicals make a bigger noise and splash, but I think it's good to be stretched, so if you're curious / suspicious / interested in more liberal thinking, why not dare to have a click or two? The worst that can happen is that you disagree.

The Student Christian Movement is the alternative to UCCF, which is the umbrella body for most student Christian Unions. They have recently published a really interesting guide to reading the Bible, bringing in good scholarship, but also input from a variety of traditions. I mentioned it a few months ago on the blog.

Inclusive Church are a liberal network committed to a church that's more, well, inclusive. Features a petition, but not at all obvious what you would be signing up to, unless you click "Register your support" on the home page. If you click petition, you just get a list of signatories. A lot of emphasis is on gender and sexuality issues on this site.

Accepting Evangelicals is a slightly different take, in that it is a not a liberal site but run for evangelicals who support committed same sex relationships. There is an option to be a member and (sadly) an option for that membership to be confidential or public.

Modern Churchpeople's Union exists to promote a more inclusive church, but also to promote theological debate in the centre ground of the Church of England. As well as sexuality, they cover issues of war/peace, the future of Anglicanism, media, politics and lots of other stuff. Theological journal, Modern Believing, published quarterly (included in the higher rate sub of £30)

Letter text

Some people don't have Church Times access, so here is the letter by popular request. Nothing earth-shattering; just needed saying.

Dear Sir

I have been following with interest the articles and letters relating to Christian Unions and issue of equality and diversity. I think it is important to note that not all college and university CUs have such a rigorous and exclusive standpoint as some of those featured in your coverage. I have had a very amicable relationship with our College CU for the 5 years I have been Chaplain, and its membership is very diverse.

Our College CU also provides a supportive community for many students who go through difficult times during their College career. Whilst I would entirely agree with the critique of the public position of ultra-conservative groups, I think it is important not to demonise every Christian Union, nor to stereotype every individual who attends as an unthinking bigot. My experience is that the make-up of CUs (like the church) is far more complex than that, and that a thoughtful and caring engagement with CUs provides many positive and fruitful opportunities for ministry.

Mike Peatman

Church Times

Feel a strange twinge of satisfaction in getting a letter in the Church Times. Just thought I owed it to the St Martin's Lancaster CU to say that not all CUs are packed with homophobic, catholic burning militants.

They actually published it with another positive, but not uncritical letter. Perhaps sanity sometimes prevails.

Lancaster Military Heritage Group Carol Service

Yes, that's what it is called! LMHG exists to foster good relations between the military and the community. I'm not quite sure of the origins of their carol service, but it alternates between Lancaster Priory (which has many military connections) and local churches. Because College campus was once a barracks, they wanted to come to Chapel. The congregation included the Mayor, various other dignitaries and Jimmy Armfield, one time England international, Leeds manager and currently 5 live commentator. I was impressed! Lots of Army and RAF cadets there too, of course.

Anyway, it all went off well. We had some biblical readings and a couple of wartime Christmas ones, and Mr Armfield read one chosen by me about the 1914 Christmas ceasefire. Almost feel famous by association.

I just think it's fascinating that all kinds of groups like this exist around the country and come together for events such as carol services. When they do, it's important that they experience some Christian hospitality and have an opportunity to hear something of the Christian message in an appropriate form. I have to say Bishop Geoff (new Bp of Lancaster) did an excellent job

Candles & Christmas

Just back from the College Christmas carol service. It's a bit of a sweat to pull together, but well worth it. Great atmosphere and the only lighting scheme that really works in my 1960s chapel. Loads of people there too, which is a plus. Well done to Steve Charman, my Methodist colleague who suggested the Nick Fawcett meditations. Result.

Tomorrow the Military Heritage Carols Service. Stay tuned.

CU, SU and all that Jazz

It's been an interesting time for Christian Unions and their relationship with Student Unions. Our CU at SMC is great - they are flexible, collaborative and good fun. I know it's not always like that, and Chaplaincy-CU relations are not always good. Of course, that's sometimes the Chaplain's fault, and sometimes the CU's. However, times are a-changing, and life may become more difficult for any organisation that wants to retain distinctiveness by insisting that its leadership are signed up to certain values, beliefs or principles.

Ekklesia have proposed some principles for a way forward, which you can read here . The response from the NUS is reported here. A full version of the report is available as a pdf download. When I've had a chance to digest it, I'll say more.

I must admit, I can't quite see how you can have a student Labour society without socialists on the committee - then again the national party manage it without any in Cabinet...

Anyway, here's some light relief whilst you meditate on the dilemmas

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

It went!

Sunday went OK, after some quick problem solving. In the past, the Chaplaincy stall has been next to the queue for photos to be taken. That meant decent quality contact time, a chance to talk, fill in a form, with no sense that we were causing any delay.

New setting in a foyer, earlier in the process meant people walked straight past, pausing only to take the literature we thrust upon them. Solution: make and photocopy a questionnaire. Managed it by 10-40am (we started at 10am). The rest of the day went fine, and we finished a little earlier than we feared. Back at 8pm to walk down to pizza and Late Evening Service at St Thomas'. 8 freshers came. Not bad when you're competing with the first party of term.

Monday. After 5 shows, I'm feeling a bit numb. Interviews went well, video worked and SU, students and SDAS (student support department in college) all turned up for their interviews. Sadly the Principal was tied up seeing Boris Johnson, so I can see that was a tough date to turn down!

Only the last show overran to 40 mins. Chaplains don't just do religion is the key message we got across (we also do chat shows), and hopefully the other interviews did the business too. Taking some time out today to recover! Now we wonder whether anyone will turn up on Wednesday.

Took another decision. Chapel Service is mind-numbingly boring as a title. Worship on Wednesday is the new name. We could use the initials WoW, but I feel only post-modern ironic usage is permissible.

Calm before the storm

They arrive tomorrow (the main contingent of students, that is). One of the great privileges of working in a Higher Education Institution with a Church foundation is that Chaplaincy is part of the basic induction process, alongside Registration, Accommodation. etc. Tomorrow, students will arrive between 10am and 4pm, and about 1000 will come through the process.

Actually the start of term is by no means clear any more in St Martin's. 180 PGCEs arrived on 4 Sep, followed by another 350 on 11 Sep, and various other courses beginning in-between. Today it's a case of trying to think of things I will be wishing I had got / printed / collated / bought / organised this time tomorrow.

The key thing for us to remember is that we are on familiar territory, and they will be very nervous and completely boggled by the entire experience. A positive impression is what we are aiming for with the majority of students, and a good connection with the actively Christian.

We've got information packs to give out, free Fair Trade tea-bags ("have your first cuppa on us"), we'll meet up to go to the 9pm Late Evening Service, preceded by pizza in the evening.
Quite a long day, really.

Monday starts early too. Chaplaincy took over revamping the induction sessions, so we developed something which is now called the info show. Short interviews, interspersed by video clips to give a taster of the opportunities and support available at St Martin's, along with a brief intro to some key faces. It was good fun last year. Five half-hour shows with a 15 minute gap in-between each one. We even managed to run to time!

I'll post how it went on Monday night.